Indonesians are smoking less than before, and that poses a dilemma for a government that faces a budget shortfall as well as rising unemployment and counts on tobacco taxes for about 10 percent of state revenue.

Demand for health care is booming in China, driven by a growing middle class, improved health insurance coverage and an aging population. In response, some of the country’s public hospitals are adding beds by the thousand.

A new initiative by a United Nations agency is set to engage men in addressing reproductive health and gender problems in Papua, which has recorded low contraceptive use and high rate of HIV infections, as well as a high prevalence of women and child abuse.

An Indonesian consumer group has slammed the Ministry of Health for downplaying reports that some popular brands of sanitary pads were found to have used chlorine in their products, prompting public fears of health risks.

The death of a young man from a harrowing smoking-related illness this week has sent ripples around Indonesia’s social media scene and renewed activists’ commitment to push the government for stronger tobacco controls.

Shrinking aid dollars threaten the major advances made over the past decade in fighting disease and preventable deaths, a task that will grow even more difficult under new United Nations' development goals, experts in global health said.

Altria Group, makers of Marlboro, has recruited dozens of scientific and healthcare experts, as have independent e-cigarette companies such as NJOY. They bring experience developing inhalation devices and navigating the US Food and Drug Administration, valuable knowledge in the new world of electronic cigarettes.

Thailand's status as a hub for medical tourism could be helping the country contain the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, government and health officials said, after confirming its first case of the deadly virus last week.